Call of Duty 2025: The Case for Emphasizing a Key Element from Black Ops 2

In the ever-unpredictable landscape of video gaming, one constant emerges unfazed: the arrival of a new Call of Duty installment each year, a tradition unbroken since 2005. With studios closing and projects being shelved frequently, fans can still count on revisiting the battlefields of Call of Duty.

While nothing has been officially announced about the 2025 edition, the rumor mill is churning. Speculation hints at a direct follow-up to the much-loved Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 from 2012. This anticipated title might revive the story of David Mason, thrusting him into fresh challenges. Revisiting this storyline after so long might seem out of the blue, but it carries tremendous potential because of one standout feature from Black Ops 2 that begs a comeback.

Before we jetted off to space in Infinite Warfare or donned exoskeletons in Advanced Warfare, Black Ops 2 flirted with futuristic elements. Half of its storyline took players back to the gritty 1980s with Alex Mason and Frank Woods, while the other half fast-forwarded to the tech-enriched year of 2025.

Even though it wasn’t set too far in the future, Black Ops 2 managed to weave in science-fiction elements without losing its intense realism. Drones played a significant role, both in the narrative and multiplayer spectacle, and the semi-futuristic vibe ushered in never-seen-before weapons and Scorestreaks. Innovations like the player-controlled Dragonfire drones and ground-pounding robots added unique dimensions to gameplay.

Looking ahead, Call of Duty 2025 could benefit greatly from leaning into this blend of reality and sci-fi. Avoid going full science fiction, but the series can draw inspiration from Black Ops 2’s semi-futuristic charm to reinvigorate its plotlines with distinctive weaponry and narratives that tread paths less explored in the franchise.

Setting this year’s edition apart seems crucial. The last two games before 2024’s Black Ops 6 were grounded in modern-day scenarios, and while Black Ops 6 toyed with a 1990s setting, it didn’t drastically alter the formula outside its campaign. If Call of Duty 2025 sidesteps a revival of its compelling near-futuristic vibe, it risks blending into its own history without leaving a memorable imprint.